The 74LCX86FT: The 7.5 ns max propagation delay at 3.3 V and 50 pF load sets the upper data-rate ceiling — for a 50% duty-cycle signal, the gate can cleanly pass edges up to roughly 66 MHz before the output rise time eats into the valid logic window. Budget this into the timing closure of any clock or strobe path. Output drive is rated 24 mA for both high and low states. That is enough to drive three or four standard 74LCX-family inputs directly (fan-out of 4) or to switch a small LED through a series resistor without a buffer stage. The input logic thresholds are 0.8 V low and 2.0 V high — these are fixed relative to ground, not ratiometric to VCC. Quiescent current maxes at 40 µA across the full supply range. For a battery-powered sensor node that leaves the XOR gates powered continuously, this is negligible — the 40 µA is the sum of all four gates sitting idle with no load.
Temperature grade and deployment context
The -40°C to 125°C operating range qualifies the 74LCX86FT for under-hood automotive modules, industrial motor-drive control boards, and outdoor telecom equipment. The 125°C ceiling gives margin above the 105°C ambient typical of a sealed enclosure near a power stage.